• Thirty-four Australians released from Roj camp were forced to return due to "technical" issues.
• The Australian government denies involvement in the repatriation of its citizens.
• The situation reflects ongoing tensions between Syrian authorities and Kurdish forces.
• The camp holds over 2,000 individuals linked to Islamic State families.
• International responses continue to be cautious regarding the repatriation of citizens.

On February 16, 2026, 34 Australians, including women and children, were released from the Roj camp in northern Syria, which houses families of suspected Islamic State militants. However, they were forced to return shortly after departure due to "technical reasons" stemming from issues with the Syrian government, according to Reuters and Middle East Eye.

The Australian families were initially escorted by Kurdish forces from the camp toward Damascus, where they expected to complete their journey home. However, the intervention by Syrian authorities called the process into question, with Australian officials stating they "are not and will not repatriate people from Syria," as reported by Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye.

According to Roj camp officials, the families were set to depart in the company of their relatives who had traveled to Syria for the release. However, the groups returned to the camp due to complications with the authorities, as noted by Kurdish officials Reuters and Middle East Eye.

Notably, the Australian government maintains that it will enforce strict measures for any nationals returning from Syria if they are found to have committed crimes. "Their safety and the protection of Australia’s national interests remain the overriding priority," the government emphasized Reuters, Middle East Eye, and Al Jazeera.